After sharing the O-K White Conference championship with Grand Rapids Christian with a lineup consisting of predominantly underclassman last year, about the only thing that has changed for East Grand Rapids is the coach's last name.

EGR coach Lindsay Lieffers (formerly Maat) was married in the offseason and the Pioneers graduated one senior from last year's 18-3 team.

Just about everything else returns the same, including an athletic lineup and a strong commitment to defense.

The Pioneers are explosive combination of quickness and agility.

"We're excited," Lieffers said. "We have six returning seniors, and they have been working hard in the off-season. They're coming back with more experience, both on and off the floor maturity wise. So it's very exciting."

Leading the way for the Pioneers are some multi-talented, multi-sport athletes in senior post player Betsy Ronda and forward Lily Clifford. The 5-11 Ronda averaged 15 points and 10 rebounds a game en route to All-Area selection last season. Clifford, who recently committed to the University of Michigan in track, is a clutch shooter who won two games in the final seconds last year.

Running the point for the Pioneers will be 5-4 Janae McEwen and 5-6 senior Ra'shawn Calvert,who provide solid ball-handling and outside shooting skills.

"They're kind of interchangeable, and have been working on their shots in the offseason," Lieffers said.

Three other seniors – 5-8 Lindsay Rebholz, 5-7 Colette Cunningham and 5-4 Shanntelle McElwee – are expected to play larger roles on both ends of the floor, along with 5-6 junior guard Lexi Russo, who gained valuable playing experience on the varsity as a sophomore.

Newcomers to the team include 5-8 junior Elijah Netjes and 5-10 junior JordanCastleberry.

"We have some talented athletes," Lieffers said. "You need athletes to compete, but the base of it all is teamwork and communicating in the 2-3 zone. If they're not all moving, it falls apart.

"Then offense stems from the defense."

The Pioneers open their season on Nov. 29 at Hudsonville.

"We treat every game like a championship game," Lieffers said. "We're optimistic. They work hard and know I do expect a lot, but we also have fun too."